News

Latest Updates

Notice of Election

An Election is to be held of Seven Parish Councillors for the parish of Fenny Compton. Please find a copy of the notice on this page. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Clerk. Email: fcpc.clerk@gmail.com All nomination forms need to be handed in to the Clerk by the 26th March 2019.

Temporary Road Closures

WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984, SECTION 14

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF DOG LANE, FENNY COMPTON

Warwickshire County Council has made a Temporary Traffic Order closing Dog Lane, Fenny Compton, from a point outside Mill Hill Barn to the dead end of the lane, to vehicular traffic.

The closure is required to facilitate excavation works to enable new utility service connections.

The Order will commence on 4 March 2019 and will last for a period of 18 months, or until the works are completed, whichever is the earlier. However, it is anticipated that the works will be completed by 19 March 2019.

Pedestrian access to and egress from properties and land situated adjacent to the length of road to be closed will be maintained at all times. Vehicular access will be maintained where possible.

The Council regrets any inconvenience that may be caused. The team dealing with this Temporary Traffic Order at Warwickshire County Council is Network Management (Tel: 01926 412515).

Any enquiries relating to the works being undertaken may be directed to the contractor dealing with this matter, Morrison Utility Services (Tel: 02476 185 631).

Neighbourhood Plan

The Neighbourhood Plan is coming together now. We have received the Children and Young Person survey and Ecological report which will be incorporated into the main report. All of the sections have now been drafted and we are in the process of collating them into the Draft Report. The next steps will be:1) The committee is currently creating the complete draft Neighbourhood Plan document,2) The Draft plan then needs to be assessed by Parish Council,3) Once approved, the Plan is submitted to Stratford District Council and checked by an independent examiner,4) If accepted by the independent examiner, the plan is published to the village and Stratford District Council arrange and hold a referendum in the village. If not accepted by the independent examiner, the plan will be updated to suit and resubmitted,5) If approved via referendum, the Plan becomes a legal document.The survey results are now available online at the Parish Council website. See www.fennycompton-pc.gov.uk

Fenny Compton Flood Prevention

Following a presentation to the Parish Council in June by Barry Ridgeway of Warwickshire County Council, a proposal has been developed to further increase the capacity of the existing attenuation pond in Hall Yard and to build a new attenuation pond in a field to the west of the Avon Dassett Road.Some concerns have been raised about this proposal which are currently being evaluated. It is planned to put forward the final proposal to try and obtain funding. It is hoped to give a more detailed update in the New Year.Please would all riparian owners ensure that any streams and watercourses on their property are kept clear. If you have any questions, please contact Michael.Guest@fennycompton-pc.gov.uk

FREE EU Citizens' Rights Awareness Event

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is to host a FREE EU Citizens' Rights Awareness Event on Monday 18 February.

The event organised by the3million, a not-for profit organisation which campaigns to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK post Brexit, aims to provide information about EU Citizens' rights in the UK during Brexit, the ‘settled status' scheme and to offer a Q&A session.

It is open to all EU nationals, their families and their employers and will take place at the District Council offices between 6pm and 8pm.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: ““I am pleased that the District Council is hosting an important event such as this and believe we are the only authority in Warwickshire to do so.

“Following the uncertainty created by Brexit, EU citizens need information regarding their rights and their status in the UK over the coming years and never more so than in Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding area. It is important that EU nationals are informed about their future rights.

“Many EU citizens have lived here for many years and have brought up their families here. Many are also married to British citizens; I feel it is important to provide whatever assistance we can in these uncertain times."

Defibrillator

Thank you to everyone who came to our Defibrillator and CPR Awareness Session. If you suspect someone has had a heart attack, please ring 999 immediately. They will tell you what to do including giving you the code for the defibrillator cabinet located outside the Village Hall. The defibrillator has full instructions and tells you exactly how to use it. While someone fetches the defibrillator, it is essential that CPR is carried out on the casualty. If you would like to borrow one of our mini Annies to practice on with a DVD with full instructions, please email the Clerk, details above, and we can arrange that for you. Community groups may wish to borrow the set. Our next awareness session will take place in the Village Hall from 19:00 to 19:30 on Monday 15th October 2018.

Dog Fouling

This continues to be an issue. Please clear up after your pet and use the bins provided.

Post Office Near Me

Jobcentre Near Me

We've made it easier to find local Jobcentre Plus offices, benefits and employment information. Just click on the Link - http://www.jobcentrenearme.com

Compton Buildings

The Compton Chronicle are planning an article on the history of the Compton Buildings site. If you have any memories of working there, we would be pleased to hear your reminiscences. Just email comptonchronicle@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile Library

The next visit by the Mobile Library will be on the 15th February 2019. The Mobile Library will stop on Station Road between 1:50pm and 2:15pm, and then on Grants Close between 2:20pm and 2:45pm. Please make use of this extremely useful service.

Latest Scams

Bogus HMRC Phishing Email ScamBogus HMRC Phishing Email Scam: Stoke-on-Trent City Council has stated that the letters/emails are headed ‘This is not Junk Mail – Please Take Action' and states that the householders address is registered with HMRC as having a ‘gambling machine games operator' present at the address. The scammers' then state that owed ‘games duty' has not been paid and threatens that enforcement officers could be sent out to the address if there is no response to the letter.These phishing letters/emails are designed to trick the public into handing over their bank account information and personal details. They can seem genuine, but on closer inspection provide clues to their falsity.Top Tips: • Stay vigilant in the fight against fraudsters and always be wary of unsolicited communication from any source.• Recognise the signs – genuine organisations, such as banks and HMRC, will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, password or bank details. You'll never get an email, text message or phone call from HMRC which: tells you about a tax rebate or penalty, or asks for your personal or payment information immediately.• Stay safe – do not give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or click on links in emails you weren't expecting.

Apple eaves-dropping bug: A major bug has been discovered in iOS that lets a caller hear and see a person on the other end of a group FaceTime call before the call has been answered. This security issue allows you to take a digital peek into another person's life — completely without their knowledge.The bug is simple to exploit as you call someone on FaceTime before they answer, swipe up and add yourself to the call. From this, you can hear through the person's phone, all without them answering the call. The flaw appears to occur when both users are running version 12.1 of Apple's mobile operating system, or newer. The technique involves using the software's group chat function. The eavesdropping ends when the call is cut after too many rings.Top Tips• If you have IOS 12.1 or newer, ensure you disable FaceTime on all your devices until Apple's software updates have been released.

YouTube comment scam: The scam messages sent via YouTube's message/comment system asked recipients to click a link to receive a prize.The names, icons and imagery used by the YouTubers, such as Philip DeFranco, were prominent in the messages to make them look authentic. YouTube said it was looking into ways to spot and stop the impersonation scams. The text in every message is the same, and suggests that a subscriber was picked at random to get a gift.Top Tips: • Avoid clicking on any links in the message that appear to be from the YouTuber. If they do have a giveaway on their video, the information will most likely be found in the description.• A YouTuber's comment on their own video will always be highlighted and may have a verification tick next to their name if they are a verified creator. Look out for this to make sure the comment is authentic.Report the comment by clicking the three dots next to the comment and click 'report spam or abuse'.

Instagram to implement sensitivity screenings: Instagram will introduce “sensitivity screens" to hide images of self-harm, in an attempt to protect young people who use the site, the app's head, Adam Mosseri, has announced.The Facebook-owned app already bans posts that promote or encourage suicide or self-harm, Mosseri said, but faces challenges in finding those posts to take them down, as well as ensuring that users can still share imagery related to those topics in ways that allow them to express themselves, but do not amount to incitement.That includes “sensitivity screens" for images of self-harm, which blur the image behind them until the user explicitly indicates they want to view the graphic content. It also means that company has blocked images of cutting from showing up in search, hashtags or account recommendations. Mosseri says the changes “will make it more difficult for people to see" those images.Mosseri's promise comes a week after Facebook was issued with an ultimatum by the health secretary Matt Hancock get better at protecting children on Instagram and Facebook's main app, or face the force of the law.

Next Parish Council meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Fenny Compton Village Hall on Monday 18th February 2019 at 19:45.

Sports Pavilion

With development of the Compton Buildings site now looking more likely, with associated money towards facilities in the village, and funding potentially available from HS2 as well, the Parish Council would like to investigate the potential for redevelopment of the pavilion on the sports field. We need your help to make this a reality! If any resident of the parish can help us come up with ideas, pursue funding or help with delivering the project, we want to hear from you. Please contact the Clerk.

Speedwatch

Cllr Andrew is in the process of organising training for anyone interested in helping with the community speedwatch intiative. Anyone interested please contact Neil Andrew via Neil.Andrew@fennycompton-pc.gov.uk

Smart Meter Update

Right of Way Online Fault Reporting

Warwickshire Rights of Way Team announce a new online Fault Report system. This is a new way to report Rights of Way faults direct to our Team. It requires the user to log into the system as the members of Rights of Way Team do. This map based system allows users to mark the location of the fault on the map and then to give a detailed description of the fault and its location. There is a search facility which has various options to get to an approximate location for example a town or village, a grid reference, Post code etc. The map depicts all the Rights of Way in the County and users are able to zoom in and out in order to pinpoint the location of the fault. Once the spot is plotted on the map the detailed information of the problem and location can be added together with photographs (if available). The system will acknowledge the report by email giving a unique reference number by which the report can be tracked. Should the user wish to give further details or photographs at any time they can add to the original report themselves. The information is processed and automatically transfers into the main Rights of Way system. Thissystem ensures that all contacts and reports are included on the system and will help to improve our efficiency.

Broadband Update

Did you know that superfast broadband might already be available to you? Did you know that superfast broadband might already be available to you?The CSW Broadband Project has already completed the following upgrades to these communities within your parish: Area served by upgrade - Fenny Compton & surrounding area.

To find out if you can get superfast broadband:

1. Check whether fibre broadband is available to you by entering your landline number or address into the BT Broadband Availability Checker.If fibre is available, either 'VDSL Range A & B' or 'WBC FTTP' will be listed in the 'Featured Products' column on the left hand side of the results table along with the maximum and minimum speeds you are likely to achieve.Our How to use the BT Broadband Availability Checker web page includes clear and concise information on how to make sense of the Availability Checker results.

2. Remember, that if fibre is available, you will need to order a fibre broadband package. You will not receive the upgraded service automatically. To find an Internet Service Provider and a fibre broadband package that suits your needs, you can use a broadband comparison site such as: MoneySaving, Expert.com, Broadbandchoices, Broadband Genie, Cable.co.uk

What are the benefits? Having access to faster broadband allows individuals, families, businesses and communities to:• Browse the web faster• Stream HD films, TV shows, games and videos without buffering slowing you down• Talk face-to-face with friends and family using Skype, FaceTime or similar software• Compete with other businesses in the increasingly competitive global marketplace• Reduce workplace costs through remote working / working from home• Make use of a whole host of other online opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be possible Please Note: Even though your FTTC cabinet may have been upgraded, not every property connected to it is guaranteed to benefit due to some properties' distances from the cabinet and/or quality of copper connections. For more information see our FAQs Superfast broadband not available yet?Register to receive updates about future developments that may affect you.

Local Full Fibre Networks Challenge Fund (LFFN)We are still awaiting the outcome of our LFFN bid. It is believed that there have been a number of projects from across the country who have lodged bids for Phase 2 of the fund. This bid is very different from what has gone before.

The project requirements are to connect public sector buildings to the full fibre network (i.e. FTTP) with Gigabit-capable connections. The idea is that by taking full fibre out to public buildings, the successful contractor will then connect homes and businesses along the fibre route and in the vicinity of the newly-connected public buildings.

Our data team have compiled a compelling case, but of course we do not know what other projects may have submitted. We hope to hear the outcome of this bid in the next couple of months. If successful, the work will be very different from what has gone before, since we will be carrying out a public-sector procurement rather than commissioning a wholesale network (which is what the BDUK project has done thus far). As always, we'll continue to publish information in the newsletters as we receive it.

EAFRDBecause the EAFRD bid can only go to rural areas where there is no planned coverage, we are eagerly awaiting the return from Openreach for the modelling of the additional £1.9m mentioned earlier in this newsletter. This will give us a clearer indication as to where the EAFRD bid might be able to reach. The EAFRD bid is similar to the LFFN in that it targets specific premises, but in this case we will be looking at those hard-to-reach rural businesses that otherwise would not stand a chance of getting superfast connections.

The funding will be brought into Contract 3, so the requirement will be for a wholesale access superfast network offering a minimum of 30Mbps. We will have to prove evidence of need, so will be contacting businesses in the relevant areas once these have been identified. The requirement is for us to provide the network, not to monitor whether a service is taken up.

Once, again, we'll publish more information as we receive it.

Changes within the teamAfter many years of stability, we have seen some significant changes with the structure of the team. Our Project Executive, John Parmiter, has retired after almost 20 years working for Warwickshire County Council. John started his career as a teacher, and later became a schools' inspector. He then ran a project to bring ICT to Warwickshire's schools. Later John was involved in bringing Internet connectivity to schools throughout Warwickshire.

He was involved in the BDUK project (which became known as CSW Broadband) from its earliest days, and provided excellent leadership and strategic direction to the project. John's role has been taken over by Richard Hopkins, who comes from a strong technical and contracts management background.

Gurprit Basran, who has been Project Administrator since 2012 is also moving on to pastures new. Gurprit has been the unsung hero of the team, working behind the scenes to ensure that we have all documentation in order and that the systems are running as they should. Gurprit has been a massive support to all of us and will be sorely missed.

As far as the day-to-day running of the project is concerned, there should be little outward evidence of the changes, although we will all miss these two key members of the team and wish them both every success in the future.

Questions and AnswersHere are some of the Q&A's raised recently. Our website has a full set of Q&As, which are regularly updated.

Once my new fibre cabinet is connected to the exchange (or FTTP is enabled), what then? That is entirely up to you. We are installing a wholesale network, which means that once your cabinet has gone live (or FTTP has been enabled) any Internet Service Provider (ISP) can offer you high speed broadband (subject to availability) and there are a wide range of packages available.

Do check though that you are able to actually achieve the speeds that are advertised as the geographic issues mentioned on our website will apply in cases where a new cabinet is involved. You can check which structure you are actually connected to by using the BT DSL checker. Our handy ‘How to use the BT Line Checker' webpage will help you make sense of the DSL Checker results.

For the best results you will need to be able to enter a BT landline number for your property. If you do not have this then you can use your address, but it may be less accurate. Do not use the postcode checker as that covers too wide an area to be of any use.

Don't forget that you will need to upgrade to a superfast broadband package through your chosen ISP. The access is on a wholesale basis, which means that any ISP can use the infrastructure to provide their services.

Don't forget that you will need to check out broadband packages carefully to get the one that is right for you. For impartial advice go to the Money Saving Expert website.

We have leaflets that can be distributed to every property that is connected to the upgraded cabinets. To find out more please visit our Become a Community Champion web page.

My phone line is connected to a cabinet that is not upgraded. How can I get it moved to a fibre-enabled cabinet? It is an operational matter for BT as to which cabinet they connect your landline to. There is a legal obligation to provide a copper telephone connection, but not for a fibre broadband connection. In some areas, BT are carrying out CuRE (Copper Re-Arrangement) work, which does involve moving lines from one cabinet to another. In other areas we are seeing FTTP (Fibre to the premise) installations, in which case the cabinet is irrelevant.

You can check which structure you are actually connected to and what speed is available to you now by using the BT DSL checker.

For the best results you will need to be able to enter a BT landline number for your property. If you do not have this then you can use your address, but it may be less accurate. Do not use the postcode checker as that covers too wide an area to be of any use.

To see if anything is planned in your area for the future, either through this project or from commercial providers, use our unique property checker, which shows the currently planned status (down to property level) up to the end of 2019.

The information was largely derived from the Open Market Review and Public Consultation that we carried out in preparation for the Contract 3 procurement. If the coverage has been promised by the commercial provider, then we are bound by commercial confidentiality and cannot give further details. However, if the upgrades are planned through the CSW Broadband project then you can see the status on our latest map and on the Rolling 12-Month Plan.

You can find more frequently asked broadband questions on our website.

Stratford Ambulance Association

Stratford Ambulance Association are currently looking for volunteers who are willing to either be trained in First Aid to help cover local events, or help the Association raise much needed funds for equipment and supplies.

Everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is required.

Stratford Ambulance Association is also able to provide first aid training courses to local organisations.

For more information please email contact@stratfordambulanceassociation.org.uk

Or visit www.stratfordambulanceassociation.co.uk

Home Delivery Library Service

The Home Delivery Library Service is a free service to those who are unable to visit or use their local library or Mobile Library due to ill health or infirmity.

Using volunteers,we deliver books to people in their homes once every four weeks, based on their personal preferences.

We offer books in both Large and Small print and also talking books on compact disc.

Anyone who feels that they would be eligible and would benefit from receiving the service can contact us on (01926) 851031 or by email on mobilelibraryservice@warwickshire.gov.uk.

UBUS

UBUS is a service for people of any age, wherever they are in the district, who are stuck for transport between 9:30am – 2:30pm,

Monday to Friday. The UBUS service is for you if you struggle to access public transport due to mobility issues or other health problems, or you live in an isolated location with no, or infrequent, public transport. UBUS can be used to visit friends, attend social groups, leisure activities or go shopping. It cannot be used to attend medical appointments. UBUS vehicles are fitted with low-floor steps or tail-lifts to ensure everyone can access them. A single journey costs £2.10, £2.70 or £3.40 depending where you live in the district. Return journeys are £4.20, £5.40 or £6.80. Travel on ‘Magic Monday' and pay only one way on a return journey. Once registered with the service, you can book journeys between 9.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday by quoting your membership number. Journeys can be booked seven days in advance. The earlier you book the more likely you will be able travel at your preferred time.

To register or for more information please contact 01789 264491.

There have been a number of incidents around the country of ewes and lambs being attacked and killed by dogs.

In Warwickshire we are aware of two possible attacks.

If you have a dog, please keep it on a lead when passing through fields with any kind of livestock, especially with young at this time of year.

Always make sure you know where your dog is, especially if you live near fields with livestock in. Your dog is your responsibility both when you are at home and away.

Please be aware that from 6th April, 2016, ALL dogs in England, Scotland and Wales will be legally required to be microchipped and their details registered on an authorised database. Failure to comply could lead to a fine of £500.

The Warwickshire Directory

The Warwickshire Directory is aimed at helping people find information about local organisations, groups and agencies that provide activities, advice, services and support. Please visit the Directory online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/directory

Village Map Copies Available

The Parish Council commissioned a map of the village to include all the surrounding field names, which is on display in the Village Hall. The Parish Council are able to provide a copy of this map at a cost of £10. If anyone is interested they should contact the Clerk, Catherine Lambert on 01295 770354.

Rural Growth Network Scheme for Small Businesses.

Looking to grow your business or get started?Warwickshire is one of five Rural Growth Network (RGN) pilots in the country. We offer a flexible package of advice and support to rural businesses in any sector and people looking to start their own businesses.

With drop-in clinics, specialist advice, one-to-one mentoring, coaching, loans, grant funding and property, you'll find the support you need to set up your business and help it grow.www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ruralgrowthnetwork

Warwickshire County Council is leading the RGN on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the services or projects are delivered by a range of specialist organisations and partners.

Campaign to Protect Rural England

CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a national charity that helps people to protect their local countryside where there is threat, to enhance it where there is opportunity, and to keep it beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone.The Warwickshire CPRE Branch covers the countryside of Warwickshire and the interests of people in Solihull, Coventry, Birmingham, Nuneaton, Rugby, Warwick, Leamington, Stratford on Avon and other towns. Local threats to villages and the countryside include individual planning items, wind farms, and HS2. For more on this, see our web site http://www.cprewarwickshire.org.uk/We, in the Warwickshire Branch want to expand the work we do and the positive effects that accrue. Extra members and volunteers will help us achieve that aim. If you already help - thank you; if not, please "sign up" now to combating the threats by joining CPRE Warwickshire via our website or phoning 01926 494597

Safer Neighbourhood Team Contact Details

There are many ways in which our communities can get in touch with us. Below are listed the ways in which we can be contacted.

Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team.

• Southam Police cover an area approximately 100 square miles.• Almost 20,000 people live in the area.• The Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the following wards: - Long Itchington, Southam, Stockton & Napton, Fenny Compton and Harbury.• The Safer Neighbourhood Team consists of Police Sgt Richard Thomas, Beat manager PC Jim Butler, also on the team is PCSO's Katrina Taylor, Claire Murray, Matt Hodgetts and Ally Streatfield. • Main switchboard telephone number for Warwickshire Police: 019